Tokaido Shinkansen Extension Planning Approved

July 15, 1964, saw approval for expanding Japan's Tokaido Shinkansen beyond its initial Tokyo-Osaka route. The 0 Series trains, capable of 210 km/h, had opened just weeks earlier. This decision addressed post-war economic growth and population mobility needs, overcoming mountainous terrain with advanced tunneling and viaducts. Key figures included JNR president Shinji Sogō. The project boosted technology exports and set global standards for high-speed rail, connecting economic centers and reducing air travel dependency.